Ice Cube (left) and Kevin Hart are pictured in a scene from "Ride Along."

Image Credit: Universal Pictures

January 19, 2014 - 11:33 AM

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - "Ride Along" arrived in first place at the weekend box office.

The buddy cop comedy featuring Kevin Hart and Ice Cube debuted with $41.2 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. The strong opening for "Ride Along" marks the biggest opening for a film released during Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend and puts it on track to top the $46.1 million record set by "Cloverfield" in 2008 for the biggest opening of January.

Universal's Navy SEAL drama "Long Survivor" starring Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch and Ben Foster earned $23.2 million in second place in its second weekend in wide release.

Open Road Films' animated film "The Nut Job" featuring the voice of Will Arnett opened in third place with $20.5 million.

OPINION Editor, This is a busy time of year, but I find it’s also a time of reflection, particularly as January marks the end of my two-year term as Chair and my 10 years serving on the Board of Interior